Fire breaks out in Serangoon flat, likely due to electrical issue

SINGAPORE – A fire that broke out in a Housing Board flat in Serangoon on Sunday evening was likely to have been caused by an electrical issue in a bedroom, according to preliminary investigations by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

No one was inside the unit at the time, but firefighters rescued a cat they found in the living room.

In a Facebook post on Sunday night, SCDF said it was alerted to the fire at Block 243, Serangoon Avenue 2 at 6.10pm.

Upon SCDF’s arrival, the fire was raging in a bedroom of a unit on the seventh storey. Firefighters extinguished the blaze using a water jet and compressed air foam backpack.

Eight residents from neighbouring units were evacuated, it said.

To prevent electrical fires, the SCDF advises the public to adopt the following practices:

• Do not overload electrical outlets with appliances.
• Switch off appliances when they are not in use.
• Check appliances for frayed wires or cracked cords and replace them immediately.
• Do not run wires under carpets or mats, and keep wires away from hot surfaces.
• Use appliances and electrical plugs bearing the Safety Mark. The categories of appliances can be found at www.consumerproductsafety.gov.sg
• Do not leave batteries or devices to charge unattended for an extended period of time or overnight.